All is not well

Posted:
07/14/2013 09:06:55 AM MDT

I remember when I was at camp closing the evening campfire by singing Taps as we put out the fire. The words were, " Gone the day, Gone the sun, from the earth, from the sky, all is well, God is nigh."

In its over than 1000 pages the Heritage Foundation, and a number of other sources, have found that provisions in this Bill are only a matter of wishful thinking that will not bring about the goals the supporters hoped for. Following are five examples of what I call "Promises" that are empty and I put quotes around them.

1. Promise: "A border fence will be completed." If the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security finds that 90 percent of the fence has not been built then The Southern Security Border Commission is empowered to make recommendations for the completion of the fence. However, after being given six months to complete this task, it self --liquidates, it vanishes, having not completed its assignment!

2. Promise: "The illegal immigrants will have to successfully pass a number of steps before achieving legal status." No, the illegal immigrants will be considered as registered provisional immigrant (RPI).

3. Promise: " The RPI will pay the taxes they have owed since they have resided and worked in the U.S." No. For the most part, Immigrants were paid with green money, therefore there is no paper trail for the IRS to follow.

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4. Promise: "From now on the flow of Illegal immigrants will be stopped, for those that enter will be issued a green card, a work permit." After five years every holder of a green card will be eligible for Obama Care and will then be able to cash in on our 79 means-tested welfare benefits. The cost of this to the American taxpayer as estimated by the CBO will be in the trillions. The benefits apply not only to 11,000,000 that are here, but for all those who will enter far beyond the ten year window the Bill provides for.

5. Promise: "Every amnestied person will be verified, thus employers will verify an applicants status." If the IRS could not verify a few hundred Tea Party applicants, how can they be expected to keep up with 11,000,000 applications for the above RPI (Registered Provisional Immigrant) status?

Obviously the Senate was blind to the real provisions of S744. They were just dreaming. There is still time to call Colorado's Representatives. Following are names and numbers for you to call and let your voice be heard.

The communities near Wildfire Development LLC are concerned with traffic (18 wheelers), pollution, future uses, noise and depreciating property values. Westover Construction has created a sawmill on their property where beetle kill logs and burnt logs are processed creating sawdust, dust pollution and noise.

One of the main responsibilities of an elected official is representing your constituents and actively listening to their views and concerns and protecting them. The neighboring residents are imploring you to honor the will of common folk over the power of industry and its money and deny proposed zoning revisions at 1753. There is a conflict here between people's quality of life, health and property values and the business interests.

We are opposed to this rezoning.

There are many unanswered questions on the Wildfire rezoning; among them:

Why can't the property be annexed without rezoning?

How much additional tax revenue will be generated by rezoning?

Has a realistic cost/benefit analysis been done by the city to determine ---- increase in taxes generated from 1753 Wildfire vs. cost of improvements, maintenance, repairs to roads, etc,, and possible loss of revenue from declining real estate taxes on depreciating neighboring property values?

Will this rezoning be precedent setting for other neighborhoods, other areas of Estes?

Is this change being considered to accommodate Wildfire LLC's intention to sell the property at a higher economic value?

Planning Department nullified their original traffic study as incorrect. How can we trust that any forthcoming tests, i.e., traffic, noise, etc. will be honest, valid and accurate? (None of these are being done by an independent source)

Fire hydrants will not be installed until 2015. What is the safe alternative being implemented to protect the neighborhood until this is done?

Has the city or any officials received any contributions from Wildfire Development LLC/Westover or any of its principals?

We appreciate that the trustees will vote their conscience in the best interest of their constituents.

Interested parties may attend the Planning meeting at Town Hall on July 16 at 1:30 p.m.for more information.

The Ertl family would like to thank everyone involved with Team Ertl (especially the Pavlish family, the Barleen family, the Winslow family and the Rocky Mountain Opry) and ALL of our amazing community members, local businesses, sponsors, family and friends who collaborated to create such a wonderful and successful benefit on June 15, 2013. The love and support that this community continues to show our family has been beyond overwhelming and enlightening. We sincerely appreciate every individual whos has donated their own time, energy, resources, thoughts and prayers into the cause to overcome this disease. We are so blessed to be part of this tremendous community. Thank you all.

Love,-

The Ertls - Karl, Pam, Steve, Matt, Nichole, and Elizabeth

Estes Park

Thanks for your votes

Thanks to all those who voted Pati's Hair Care to be honored in Estes Park as-- "Best Barber in a Salon"!

We love taking care of all our clients! With appreciation,

Pati, Leisa and MaryBeth

Estes Park

Fireworks were the best

Wow. The best fireworks display.

I have lived in Estes Park for 15 years and this was the best of the best.

I don't know if the grand finale delay was intentional or not, but it was like Christmas morning. You think you have unwrapped all of your presents and then you find one more under the tree.

Thanks to all involved

Rita Novak

Estes Park

Proposed development a concern

We live on Cedar Ridge Circle in the 600 block of Moraine and have major concerns about the planned Mountain River Townhouse development on the South side of Moraine, also in the 600 block.

Traffic in general is a very serious problem now. The current average speed and load are of great concern.

With the addition of the planned development 33 townhouse units will dump vehicle traffic directly across from the Cedar Ridge Circle development of 22 units, resulting in considerable congestion on Moraine. Early plans indicate a connecting road between Mountain River and to the western edge of Park River West, creating another possible traffic problem in and out of that older development.

We requested a check of traffic flow and speed several months ago. The town conducted a traffic study...load and speeds. The study indicated that traffic was heavy and average speeds exceeded the posted speed limit of 35 mph. The study was done many weeks before the Summer season and does not reflect the major increase of traffic and speeds on the unposted stretch of roadway. In addition to the increased speeds trucks and busses continue to Jake brake on this stretch of road. Speed limit signage is found only near the donut shop to the East and Dave's BBQ to the West. There is little or no shoulder on the North side of Moraine and very limited walking and bike paths for significant usage.

Lastly and certainly not least is the wild animal issue.

A very heavy animal traffic area exists. Immediately to the East of Cedar Ridge Circle is a dedicated Conservation Easement that extends from Cedar Ridge North and Eastward to the area directly across from the Rock Shop/Coffee on the Rocks area. Herds and Harems of Elk throughout the year move both ways from the Conservation Easement to and through the planned development property to the river and up Prospect Mountain. Deer in both large and smaller groups move back and forth in this area year around also. Bears, coyotes, bobcats, badgers use these routes too. We are told that a wildlife night study showed a mountain lion on the planned development property. There have been several recorded animal and car accidents and near misses during the time we have resided in Cedar Ridge.

These animals are permanent residents of Estes Park. We permanent residents share the land and should respect these animals as our permanent neighbors.

We understand controlled development but feel this project must receive extra caution and concern during the approval process.

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